Sunday, April 25, 2004

Excerpt: "Sniping specialists say of Falluja that there may not have been such a "target rich" battlefield for that kind of killing since the World War II battle for Stalingrad. The Los Angeles Times reports that US snipers have been killing hundreds of insurgents:

"Sometimes a guy will go down, and I'll let him scream a bit to destroy the morale of his buddies," a Marine corporal said, "then I'll use a second shot." ('For Marine snipers, war is up close and personal', Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times, April 19, 2004)

In nearly two weeks of conflict in Falluja, the unnamed corporal has emerged as the top sniper, with 24 confirmed kills. By comparison, the top Marine Corps sniper in Vietnam killed 103 people in 16 months. "I couldn't have asked to be in a better place," the corporal said. "I just got lucky: to be here at the right time and with the right training." (bold emphasis mine)

Ponder this as the "Dear Leader" decides whether to flatten Fallujah further -- like yeah, right, he's going to opt for diplomacy. I couldn't work up a giggle for that one. Maniacal laughter perhaps but no giggle.